Bane of the Dragon King by J. Keller Ford

Author:J. Keller Ford
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: dragons, animals, nature, natural world, fantasy, medieval, magic
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC
Published: 2018-11-13T08:00:00+00:00

***

They avoided the short cut through the cloisters and the gardens, the scents of the flowers a bit overwhelming. They took the long way around, entering through the front of the cathedral instead. To her surprise, the pews were empty. There was no music playing, no choir in place. Before the altar of the church, bowls of burning sage surrounded nine pyres perched on decorative pedestals. Charlotte gulped as they approached Slavandria and Trog, both standing in reverence before the deceased. David’s hand found hers, and she gripped it tight. She didn’t want to see what was on those beds. She could smell it through the sage, the scent of death, and it turned her stomach to the near point of vomiting.

David sat her down and placed an arm around her, but the bile continued to rise. Shadows swirled around her, inside of her, choking the air from her lungs. Nine souls, dark as the gown she wore, circled her, their cries of desperation resonating through her entire being. She glanced at David, but he only smiled, unaware of the zombie spirits surrounding her. Their presence was too much. She needed air. She shoved David out of the way and ran down the aisle past the first three rows of pews, turned left, and pushed through the doorway, smack into the gardens.

She took a deep breath, and another. Fresh. Clean. Cool. Vibrant. The cloisters were full of life, beauty. Sweet, fragrant flowers. There were birds and crickets, worms and frogs. Water bubbled in the fountain. Her spirit calmed, her breathing leveled off. This was where she was supposed to be, not inside a dark, smelly room with death and darkness, gloom and tragedy. She couldn’t go back inside. She wouldn’t. Slavandria would have to understand.

“I do understand,” Slavandria said, the cathedral door clicking shut behind her.

Charlotte jumped. She hadn’t heard the door open or even sensed the sorceress’ presence.

“Your senses are in a heightened state of awareness to the spiritual world in and around you,” Slavandria said. “I am duly impressed you have defeated that which dropped you to your knees a few days ago. Well done.”

“I don’t need your approval,” Charlotte replied. “Besides, this overwhelming bouquet is still suffocating but glorious compared to what is in there.” She pointed to the cathedral. “That is not where I flourish. That is not my realm. I cannot go back in there, not while those men are rotting in there. Not while their unsettled spirits soar around, looking for a place to roost.”

“They are not looking for a place to roost, Charlotte. They are looking for divine light to wave them on to the next life. There is much for which they feel guilty. They need you to guide them.”

“Of course they do. How silly of me.”

“You are a Numí. You are expected to be one to all who need you, not just to some. That includes the souls of the living and the dead. There are many who will arrive for the service who know or suspect what you are, thanks to your public displays.

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